STOCKTON & Hopgrove maintained their 100 per cent winning record to become the early pacemakers in division one of the HPH York Vale Cricket League.

Tight bowling put the squeeze on Barmby Moor, with Kalum Perera particularly difficult to get away with only nine scoring shots coming off his 12 overs as he claimed 3-23.

With Matt Bradshaw taking 3-22, Moor were bowled out for 112 as Stockton eased to a seven-wicket win.

Copmanthorpe have also won their opening three games and sit just two points behind Stockton after David Deighton’s 5-37 was the highlight of their win against North Cave.

Scott Reeves’ unbeaten 94 earned Bishopthorpe victory at Hemingbrough with nine balls to spare.

Burn crushed Wheldrake by ten wickets as Ray Adamson (64no) and Andrew Watson (37no) survived four dropped catches to sweep home inside 24 overs.

Jamie Agnew was Ben Johnson’s star man with his 52 supporting Martin Reynolds (62) before he took 6-35 as Clifton Alliance slid from 112-2 to 183 all out.

There were two tons in the division two game at Hirst Courtney where Phil Alford scored exactly 100 for the home side, only to be bettered by Ian Lake’s unbeaten 107 which took Selby to victory.

Mark Grewer was another centurion as he smashed 107 in Askham Bryan’s mammoth 275-7 against ten-man Westow, who were then routed for 34 by Pete Wood (5-15) and Jim McCullough (4-19).

Despite M Saeed’s 91, University of York Staff lost to Woodhouse Grange by seven wickets.

American national Tom Cookson hit 84 against Heworth to guide Ovington to the top of the table.

Nigel French was the weekend’s highest run-maker with his maiden century taking Thixendale to within an inch of overhauling Melbourne’s 204-8. He scored 112 but Tim Blackmore (4-12) took three wickets in his final over to see a thrilling game tied.

It was almost as close at The Gannock where Malton & Old Malton successfully defended their 105 by one run against North Duffield as James Baxter came on to take 2-3 in five deliveries.

Collapse of the day was at New Lane where Stillingfleet were cruising towards a 146 victory target at 102-1 but lost their remaining nine wickets for only 23 runs as Phil Holland (5-29) and Gary Walker (5-38) snatched a York RI win.

York continued their winning start in division four, restricting Wheldrake II to 108-9 with four bowlers each taking two wickets, the most remarkable being Adam Maltby, whose five overs were all maidens.

Teenager Andrew Seager was Bishopthorpe II’s star with 6-37 as his side defeated Hemingbrough II in division four. Bish skipper Mike Dale made the most of being dropped first ball to hit 84.

Ovington II’s Ben Morrison (82) and Joe Whale (51) shared a 116-run stand to set up a match-winning 257-7 against Copmanthorpe II.

Heworth II gained their first win, squeaking past Burton Salmon by one wicket off the penultimate ball of the match.

In division five, Yapham’s Dan Edwards routed Stockton & Hopgrove II with figures of 8-3-12-6.

Press performance of the week

Jamie Agnew (Ben Johnson) – for his division one half-century and 6-35 against Clifton Alliance.